cheltenham festival - :// … · surrounding this year’s cheltenham festival. last year purists...

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL- 2015 POCKET GUIDE -

- Welcome -There is very much a sense of “out with the old, in with the new” surrounding this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Last year purists were purring over the possibility that the astonishing Hurricane Fly could land his third Champion Hurdle and whether a PaulNicholls training masterclass could get Big Buck’s over the line for afifth World Hurdle win.

In the end, both horses fell on their sword as a new breed of youngercharges put them in their place. Those brave defeats, combined withthe retirement of the fantastic mare Quevega ─ a month after WillieMullins’ other hurdling superstar made Festival history ─ has left thedoor open for a fresh wave of beasts to etch their names into the Cheltenham history books.

Hurricane Fly may be back for more, and three further top-level winssince last March prove there’s life in the 11-year-old yet, but it’s stablemate Faugheen who is expected to take home the honour of thetwo-mile hurdling king.

By around 4.15pm on Tuesday Mullins could have recorded a GradeOne four-timer (and ruined us bookmakers!) if hotpots Douvan, Un DeSceaux and Annie Power also do the business.

Wednesday promises an intriguing Champion Chase with the last two winners, Sire De Grugy and Sprinter Sacre, both beset by injuries inrecent times, set to face the rapidly improving Nicholls duo of Dodging Bullets and Mr Mole.

And on Friday, the sport’s greatest ever jockey AP McCoy will havehis last rides at Cheltenham after 20 years at the top.

Racing has a way of writing its own fairytales and McCoy bowingout with a third Gold Cup aboard Carlingford Lough would bring thehouse down.

If you are visiting Cheltenham make sure you come and find us atPitch 3 in Tattersalls and, wherever you are, enjoy the finest fourdays of racing in the calendar.

- Tuesday 10th March -Time Race Distance1.30 The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race 2m ½f2.05 The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 2m2.40 The Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Steeple Chase 3m ½f3.20 The Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m ½f 4.00 The OLBG Mares’ Hurdle Race 2m 4f4.40 The Toby Balding National Hunt Steeple Chase 4m5.15 The Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase 2m 4½f

- Wednesday 11th March -Time Race Distance1.30 The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle Race 2m 5f2.05 The RSA Steeple Chase 3m ½f2.40 The Coral Cup Hurdle 2m 5f3.20 The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase 2m4.00 The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase 3m 7f4.40 The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race 2m ½f5.15 The Weatherbys Champion Bumper 2m ½f

D T 2 T 3 T 2 T 3 T 2 T 3 T 1

D T 2 T 2 T 3 T 3 T 3 T 2 T

The Schedule

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D T 2 T 3 T 2 T 2 T 3 T 2 T 2

- Thursday 12th March -Time Race Distance1.30 The JLT Novices’ Chase 2m 4f2.05 The Pertemps Network Final 3m2.40 The Ryanair Steeple Chase 2m 5f3.20 The Ladbrokes World Hurdle Race 3m 4.00 The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate 2m 4f4.40 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase 3m1½ f5.15 The St Patrick’s Derby 1m 5f

- Friday 13th March -Time Race Distance1.30 The JCB Triumph Hurdle 2m 1f2.05 The Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle Race 2m 1f2.40 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race 3m3.20 The Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase 3m 2½ f4.00 The Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 3m 2½ f4.40 The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race 2m 4½ f5.15 The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 2m ½ f

Winner’s Age 5, 5, 6, 7, 6, 5, 6, 5, 6, 5Winner’s SP 20/1, 6/1, 40/1, 17/2, 12/1, 12/1, 10/1, 10/1 5/1, 7/2JFFate of Favourite 13th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd (jf), 5th, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 2nd, 1stWinning Distance 6, nk, 3, 2, nk, hd, 2, 1 ¼, ½, 6Previous run 1st, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race

Vautour becomes one of the most impressive ever winners of the Supreme last year

- Stat Attack -

Last year’s winner Vautour was the first favourite to win this since Brave Incain 2004Captain Cee Bee (aged 7) is the only horse older than 6 to have won in thelast 12 years18 of the last 20 winners won their prep race

(Last 10 renewals with most recent results on right and in bold)

- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Rich Ricci have proved to be an irresistiblecombination in the Festival opener for the past two years and DOUVAN isfancied to follow in the hoofprints of Vautour and Champagne Fever. Althoughthe form of his wins perhaps isn’t as strong as main market rival L’Ami Serge,it’s been the manner of his victories which has really impressed. A day full ofIrish bankers can start with a bang.

Notes...

Tuesday10th March

TIME 1.30pm DISTANCE 2m ½f

Winner’s Age 7, 5, 7, 7, 7, 8, 7, 6, 7, 6Winner’s SP 7/1, 15/2, 7/2, 6/1, 8/1, 6/1, 6/1, 8/11f, 8/15f, 33/1Fate of Favourite 7th, 7th, 2nd, 3rd, Fell, 8th, 4th, 1st, 1st, 2nd Winning Distance 1, 1 ¼, 5, 13, Shd, ¾, 2 ¾, 7, 2¼, hdPrevious run 3rd, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st

The Racing Post Arkle ChallengeTrophy Steeple Chase

Western Warhorse (light blue silks, jumping fence) causes a huge upset

- Stat Attack -

2014 winner Western Warhorse (33/1) was the first horse since 1999 to winthis at odds of greater than 8/17 of the last 10 winners won last time out and only one winner in that time hadfinished worse than second on their previous startSince 2003 only one horse older than 7 has taken the prize


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - Some horses have the star quality that sends a tingle down your spine whenthey run and UN DE SCEAUX is undoubtedly one of them. Willie Mullinswisely sidestepped the Festival 12 months ago with his unbeaten hurdler andthat decision can pay huge dividends in the Arkle. The way Un De Sceauxbrushed aside Clarcam and Gilgamboa at Leopardstown was breathtakingand as long as he stays on his feet, he will surely have too much for the likesof Vibrato Valtat and Josses Hill.

Notes...

Tuesday10th March

TIME 2.05pm DISTANCE 2m

Winner’s Age 8, 8, 7, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9, 6Winner’s SP 7/2jf, 7/4f, 16/1, 10/1, 22/1, 9/1, 11/4f, 11/1, 13/8f, 9/1Fate of Favourite 2nd, 1st, 1st, 6th, 14th, 3rd, 10th, 1st, 1st, 4thWinning Distance 5, nk, 1, 3, 1, nk, 3 ½, 1 ¼, 2 ¾, nk Previous run 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 4th

The Stan James ChampionHurdle Challenge Trophy

Jezki (left) gets the better of fellow JP McManus hurdler My Tent Or Yours

- Stat Attack -

25 of the last 31 winners won their prep raceIreland have won 3 of the last 4 runnings and have 4 of the top 5 in the marketHurricane Fly will bid to become the first horse to regain the Champion Hurdletwice and only the third 11-year-old in history to win it


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - The ammunition Willie Mullins has at his disposal is absolutely frightening andwithout wanting to come across as boring, it is very difficult to see pastFAUGHEEN in the Champion Hurdle. The New One and Jezki are bothrespected, but last year’s Neptune winner is eight from eight under rules andthere is no telling how good he might be. Dual winner Hurricane Fly is awonderful racehorse, but only two 11-year-olds have been successful in 84runnings.

Notes...

Tuesday10th March


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Tuesday10th March

2.40pm Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Steeple Chase• Only 2 horses since 1999 have shouldered more than 11st to victory• This is a graveyard race for favourites – only 2 have won since 19774.00pm OLBG Mares Hurdle (for the David Nicholson Trophy)• Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have won the last 6 runnings of this with

Quevega• No trainer/jockey combination has won the same race at the Cheltenham

Festival 7 successive times4.40pm The Toby Balding National Hunt Steeple Chase• Jonjo O’Neill has won this a record 5 times• Only one winner since 1998 has been aged older than 95.15pm The Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase• No trainer or jockey has won this more than once• 8 of the 10 runnings have been won by a 6 or 7 year old

Key Trends (Remainder of Day One)

Notes...

Winner’s Age 7, 5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7Winner’s SP 5/1, 14/1, 6/5f, 4/1f, 9/4f, 10/1, 16/1, 9/2, 8/1, 12/1Fate of Favourite 2nd, PU, 1st, 1st, 1st, 5th, 5th, 4th, 4th, 2ndWinning Distance 3, 6, 10, 4 ½, 16, 7, nk, 2 ½, 1 ¾, nkPrevious run 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st

RSA Chase

O’Faolains Boy outstays gutsy grey Smad Place up the punishing Cheltenham hill

- Stat Attack -

13 of the last 15 winners were aged 7 – including the last 84 of the last 6 winners ran in the Flogas Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown (formerly the Dr PJ Moriaty Chase) No horse since 1990 has won this having finished worse than third last time out


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - A minefield of a race for ante-post punters with plenty of these being linkedwith other races at the meeting. Kings Palace has impressed over the largerobstacles this season, but flopped here 12 months ago and the suspicionremains this may not be his time of year. Preference is for Paul Nicholls’SOUTHFIELD THEATRE who has plenty of stamina and has Festival form tohis name having been beaten a whisker in last season’s Pertemps Final.

Notes...

Wednesday11th March


Winner’s Age 11, 8, 6, 5, 6, 9, 9, 9, 7, 8Winner’s SP 6/4f, 16/1, 5/1, 3/1, 4/11f, 10/1, 10/1, 4/1, 1/4f, 11/4FFate of Favourite 1st, Fell, Fell, 2nd, 1st, 4th, 8th, 2nd, 1st, 1st Winning Distance 2, 9, 1 ½, 19, 7, 6, 5, 1 ¼, 19, 6Previous run 1st, 1st, UR, 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 1st

The Betway Queen MotherChampion Steeple Chase

Sire De Grugy in splendid isolation on his way to Champion Chase glory

- Stat Attack -

Only 2 horses since 1990 have won this at bigger odds than 10/1There have 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 year old winners in recent years but Moscow Flyeris the only horse older than 10 to win since 1977Just 3 of the last 12 winners failed to win on their previous start


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - All eyes will be on Sprinter Sacre to see whether the 2013 Champion canreclaim his crown after taking a year off with heart trouble. Only time will tellwhether it was just fitness that saw him fade quickly behind Dodging Bulletsat Ascot, but there won’t be a more popular winner at the meeting if hebounces back. The value call looks to be Irish raider HIDDEN CYCLONE whois in the form of his life and ran a belter in the Ryanair last season.

Notes...

Wednesday11th March


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Wednesday11th March

1.30pm Neptune Novices’ Hurdle• Willie Mullins has won 3 of the last 7 editions• 8 of the last 10 winners had won their previous race2.40pm Coral Cup• Punters have collected on the favourite just once in 22 runnings• Since the Welsh Champion Hurdle was introduced 2 years ago, it has

produced the last 2 winners of the Coral Cup (Medinas and Whisper)4.00pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase• Philip Hobbs (twice) is the only UK trainer to have won this; Irish handlers

have taken the other 8• Enda Bolger had 4 of the first 5 winners and has saddled 2 further seconds 4.40pm Fred Winter Juvenile Novices Hurdle• Just 11 horses priced under 10/1 have been placed in the race’s history• The last 3 winners had SPs of 33/1, 25/1 and 40/15.15pm Weatherbys Champion Bumper• Ireland have won 17 of the 22 renewals – Willie Mullins has won 8• All but 2 of the race’s winners won their previous start

Key Trends (Remainder of Day Two)

Notes...

Winner’s Age 10, 10, 6, 10, 8, 9, 10, 8, 7, 8Winner’s SP 9/2, 10/3jf, 9/2, 4/1, 6/1, 14/1, 6/1, 7/2f, 9/2, 3/1fFate of Favourite PU, 1st, 4th, 5th, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 1stWinning Distance ½, 1 ¼, nk, 5, 2, 4 ½, 1, ½, 9, 2¼Previous run 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 2nd, PU, 1st, 1st, 5th

The Ryanair Steeple Chase

Dynaste (far side) wins the battle against Hidden Cyclone and Rajdhani Express

- Stat Attack -

The last 7 winners all ran in that season’s King George and were all beaten9 of the 10 winners had previously won at CheltenhamIreland are 0 from 10 in the race


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - Ireland are yet to win this in 10 runnings, but Don Cossack gives the country,and Ryanair owner Michael O’Leary, as good a chance as ever before to winthe prize. However, his best form is in small fields on soft ground and he hasto be taken on at the prices. Balder Succes was impressive at Ascot last time,but a chance is taken on David Pipe’s BALLYNAGOUR each-way at amonster price. He is fragile, but might just be able to shake up the leadingprotagonists.

Notes...

Thursday12th March

TIME 2.40pm DISTANCE 2m 5f

Winner’s Age 6, 6, 8, 9, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 6Winner’s SP 5/1, 8/1, 5/1, 11/8f, 6/1, 5/6f, 10/11f, 5/6f, 17/2, 15/2Fate of Favourite 2nd, 3rd, Fell, 1st, 4th, 1st, 1st, 1st, PU, 2ndWinning Distance 3, hd, ¾, 1, 1 ¾, 3 ¼, 1 ¾, 1 ¾, 2½, 1½ Previous run 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st

Ladbrokes World Hurdle Race

More Of That gives Barry Geraghty another big race success in the McManus colours

- Stat Attack -

Only one Irish horse has won in the last 20 runningsSaphir Du Rheu would bid to give Paul Nicholls and the Stewart Family arecord fifth win in the raceEvery winner since 1999 has been a single-figure price


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - The roof will be blown off if Rock On Ruby comes home in front, but the tripis a massive doubt. Saphir Du Rheu has already been hailed as the new BigBuck’s due to his connections and a less than perfect start to his chasingcareer. However, there are plenty of others who can take this and UN TEMPSPOUR TOUT should go close for the Pipe yard. He ran well on his seasonalreappearance in the Cleeve and should have come on for that.

Notes...

Thursday12th March


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Thursday12th March

1.30pm JLT Novices’ Steeple Chase• Ireland are beating the UK 3-1 so far• AP McCoy has won 2 of the four renewals2.05pm Pertemps Final• Fingal Bay (2014) was the first horse in the race’s history to carry 11st12lb

to success• He was also the first successful favourite since 2003• Jonjo O’Neill has won this race a record 4 times4.00pm Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate• David Pipe and Venetia Williams have won 6 of the last 8 renewals (3 each)• Owner Allan Stennett has won 2 of the last 3 with Ballynagour and Salut Flo• 17 of the last 19 winners carried 11st or less4.40pm Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase• Spring Heeled became the first Irish winner since 1983 last year, leading

home an Irish 1-2• The last 6 winners carried 11st6lb or more• There hasn’t been a winner aged 10 or over in the last decade

Notes...

Key Trends (Remainder of Day Three)

Winner’s Age Contest restricted to four-year-oldsWinner’s SP 9/1, 7/2f, 11/2, 5/1, 11/2, 6/1, 13/2, 33/1, 4/1, 15/8Fate of Favourite 10th, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 6th, 2ndWinning Distance 2, hd, 5, 2 ¼, ¾, 1 ¼, 2 ¼, 3, 15, ½ Previous run 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 7th

The JCB Triumph Hurdle

Tiger Roll sparks the first leg of an incredible final day four-timer for Gigginstown House Stud

- Stat Attack -

Having failed to win the first 23 runnings, Ireland have won the last 2Only one favourite has obliged since 2002Nicky Henderson holds the record for most wins (5) and is set to saddle thefirst 2 in the market


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - Nicky Henderson has five Triumph Hurdles already under his belt and hisPEACE AND CO will be a warm order to make it six. He followed an emphaticDoncaster win on his debut with another impressive performance atCheltenham last time and the bigger field and stronger pace will help himsettle better. His biggest danger may come from the Irish filly Petite Parisiennewho gets a handy allowance and looked smart last time on her second startover hurdles.

Notes...

Friday13th March

TIME 1.30pm DISTANCE 2m 1f

Winner’s Age 9, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9, 6, 9, 8, 8Winner’s SP 8/11f, 4/1f, 15/2, 5/4f, 9/4, 7/4f, 7/2f, 8/1, 11/4f, 20/1Fate of Favourite 1st, 1st, 11th, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 5thWinning Distance ½, 5, 2 ½, 2 ½, 7, 13, 7, 2 ¼, 7, shdPrevious run 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 5th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 6th

The Betfred CheltenhamGold Cup Steeple Chase

Lord Windermere (purple silks, yellow hat) storms up the hill to claim Gold Cup glory

- Stat Attack -

19 of the last 22 winners were aged 7-9Just one horse older than 9 has won since 1993Willie Mullins has never trained the winner of jump racing’s blue riband event


- Key Trends -

- Leading Contender - There is no getting away from the fact that although Silviniaco Conti is thebest staying chaser in the country, Paul Nicholls’ dual King George winnerhas left Cheltenham Racecourse empty handed on three previous occasions.He’ll be a tough nut to crack, but the value lies with last year’s winner LORD WINDERMERE who ran really well in the Irish Hennessy. Jim Culloty’sstable star is bidding for his third consecutive win at the Festival and looksoverpriced.

Notes...

Friday13th March

TIME 3.20pm DISTANCE 3m 2½f

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Key Trends (Remainder of Day Four)

Friday13th March

2.05pm Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle• Paul Nicholls equalled the record of 4 wins in the race last year• 18 of the last 23 winners have carried less than 11st2.40pm Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle• 2 of the last 5 winners were priced at 33/1• 8 of the 10 winners finished first or second on their last run4.00pm CGA Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup• Only 2 of the last 24 winners were older than 10• 23 of the last 29 winners won on their last appearance before the Festival5.15pm Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup• Savello last year was the first horse since 1998 to carry more than 11st to

victory• Only one horse older than 9 has won since 1997

Notes...

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cheltenham festival - :// … · surrounding this year’s cheltenham festival. last year purists...

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